Dion's Friday ETF Winners and Losers

NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- Welcome to Don Dion's "ETF Winners and Losers." Be sure to stop by throughout the week to find out which ETFs are gaining or losing.

Winners

iPath Dow Jones UBS Natural Gas Subindex Total Return ETN (GAZ) 6.3%

Natural gas futures are seeing upward action following Thursday's better-than-expected-inventory report. While the premium-laden GAZ is leading, the United States Natural Gas Fund (UNG), which currently boasts no premium, is also pushing higher in early afternoon trading.

Market Vectors Solar Energy ETF (KWT) 5.8%

Other corners of the energy sector are gaining ground as well. Strength from solar names is helping to buoy not only dedicated instruments like KWT and the Guggenheim Solar ETF (TAN), but also broader alternative energy funds like the PowerShares Wilderhill Clean Energy Portfolio (PBW).

SPDR S&P Capital Markets ETF (KCE) 1.9%

KCE spent much of the past week trading sideways. However, as we head into the weekend, the fund appears to have gathered some steam and is currently retesting its 2012 highs.

Other financials-focused ETFs like the Financial Select Sector SPDR (XLF) and the SPDR S&P Regional Banking ETF (KRE) are seeing only limited upside action.

Losers

iPath Dow Jones UBS Copper Subindex Total Return ETN (JJC) -2.5%

Copper prices are stumbling as risk appetites wane heading into the long weekend.

Copper's weakness is weighing heavily on broader base metals ETFs as well. For a sixth day, the futures-backed PowerShares DB Base Metals Fund (DBB) is heading into negative territory. The fund is fast approaching its 50-day moving average. This level should be watched closely to see if it can hold up as a point of support.

SPDR S&P Biotech ETF (XBI) -1.7%

After a staggering run up during the opening weeks of the year, the biotech industry has begun to show signs of leveling off. Over the past week, funds like XBI, the First Trust Amex Biotechnology Index Fund (FBT) and the iShares NASDAQ Biotechnology Index Fund (IBB) have traded along a sideways path. It will be interesting to see which direction they choose in the days ahead.

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